The Charles Evans Center Presents: 4th Annual Conference on Promoting Brain Health

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 9:00am -12:00pm

Join us for this three hour live online event to learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia and how sources, both external and internal, can affect brain health. Our keynote will examine Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome. We will also look at caring for a person with dementia and developmental disabilities from a caregiver’s perspective and how that can inform clinical work, as well as information on differential diagnoses for brain health in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  REGISTER here! 

Keynote: Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Brian Chicoine, MD will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, including why Alzheimer’s disease is more common in adults with Down syndrome compared to adults without Down syndrome. He will also describe similarities and differences in the presentation, progression, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome and strategies to support individuals with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease and their families and caregivers.

Presented by Brian Chicoine, MD

Brian Chicoine, MD, is the Medical Director of the Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center, which is located in Park Ridge, Illinois. He is on the faculty of Family Medicine at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. He received his medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency at Lutheran General Hospital. In 1992, Dr. Chicoine co-founded the Adult Down Syndrome Center, which has served and documented the health and psychosocial needs of over 6000 adolescents and adults with Down syndrome since its inception. Dr. Chicoine has provided medical care for adults with intellectual disabilities for over 30 years and has presented and written extensively on caring for adults with Down syndrome.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Workshop: My Beloved Sister Susan’s Story

This presentation will provide valuable insights and perspectives of caregiving for an individual with dementia and developmental disabilities. This presentation will include background about the presenter’s sister, a brief history of Down syndrome and some education laws, the experiences of the presenter and her sister as Susan aged and her journey with dementia and how these experiences can enhance clinicians professionally when interacting with patients (a family’s perspective).

Presented by Marianne Barbera

Marianne Barbera is a passionate family advocate for I/DD individuals, families, and caregivers. This role was shaped by her lifelong relationship and unbreakable bond with her sister who had Down syndrome. Ms. Barbera was her sister’s advocate, legal guardian, and cheerleader throughout her sister’s life. Unfortunately, as part of her sister’s journey, she developed dementia and passed. This devastating portion of her sister’s life motivated Ms. Barbera to become more involved with initiatives related to I/DD and aging and dementia simply to help others. She has made it her mission to bring awareness and resources to help others so that they are better prepared for what may be included in their loved-one’s life as they age.

Marianne Barbera is a member of disability organizations including local agencies serving people with developmental disabilities on Long Island (in New York) and is involved at the Board level with several medical provider organizations. She was unanimously approved for membership on the Board of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices and is chair of the Family Support Committee. Ms. Barbera has spoken with the local hospital system that her sister used with a focus on providing the hospital staff with the perspective of I/DD individuals and families to enhance their understanding of how to care for individuals with special needs. In addition to her advocacy and affiliations with disability organizations, Ms. Barbera is a retired educator who taught a variety of grades and subject matter including special education students. Her lived experiences and insight will surely be beneficial to clinicians, support staff, and families.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Workshop: Differential Diagnosis for Brain Health in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Too often when there are losses or behavioral changes in older adults with IDD it is assumed the loss or behavioral changes are related to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. This is more likely for adults with Down syndrome as there is a known higher risk factor. It is essential for brain health and accurate diagnosis of underlying conditions that differential diagnosis is conducted for each adult with IDD. This discussion will define Brain Health and Differential Diagnosis along with the common risks for diseases that should be ruled out. Studies confirm a healthy heart and body help promote a healthy brain. Participants will be provided practical tips for ensuring differential diagnosis by working in partnership with health care providers. Opportunity will be given for questions and discussion on ways to prepare for health care appointments to prioritize ruling out conditions and diseases to promote a healthy brain and successful aging.

Presented by Kathleen M. Bishop, Ph.D.

Kathleen M. Bishop, Ph.D. has over 40 years of experience in the developmental disabilities field and over 25 as a Gerontologist with a specialty in aging with developmental disabilities. She has a BS and MS in Special Education and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University in aging with disabilities. Dr. Bishop works as a consultant for many organizations in the aging and IDD networks to assist with program and support planning as well as teaches at Utica College on-line courses on aging with disabilities. She is retired from the University of Rochester School and the NYS OPWD.  Dr. Bishop is co-chair of the NTG Group Education and Training committee, VP for the NTG, Co-chair of the Advisory Body, and a member of Executive and Board. She has been an active member of the NTG since the inception. Dr. Bishop has been presenting the 2-day NTG Dementia Capable Care for Adults with ID and Dementia Foundational Training with the Third Day Train-the-Trainer. In this capacity she has had the opportunity to train 3000+ attendees of the 2 -day training and 800+  Third day Trainees who become NTG Affiliated Regional Trainers.

_________________________________________________________________________

Date and time: September 21, 2022: 9AM-12PM

Registration Fee (non-refundable): $15.00

This training will be offered via ZOOM. Pre-registration is required and will be closed on 9/19/2022 (or when attendance capacity is reached). Following registration, you will receive a separate email with the link to the event, handouts and any forms pertaining to continuing education credits for LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT and/ or CASAC renewal.

You are not required to have a zoom account to participate in this workshop. However, you must be able to watch the webinar, calling in alone without watching the presentation will not meet requirements for contact hours.

For more info and to register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/BrainHealth9-21-22

For questions or the promo code for staff of Charles Evans Center, NC DHS OMHCDDDS, or MHANC, please contact educationdepartment@mhanc.org